Disposal system for human waste

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for handling human waste wherein the human waste is delivered to a vessel and heat is applied to the vessel, preferably simultaneously with the application of vacuum, to vaporize the liquid component of the waste material leaving dehydrated waste which can be readily removed.

0 llmted States Patent 1191 1111 3,733,617 Bennett [4 May 22, 1973 [54]DISPOSAL SYSTEM FOR HUMAN 3,567,633 3 1971 Valdespino 210 173 x WASTE3,597,769 8/1971 Brainard 4/10 [76] Inventor: Charles H. Bennett, 20400Nine Mile g f:," f 11:15,

- Road Clair Shores Mich- 48080 3:616:913 11/1971 Reid 210/152 x [22]Filed: July 23, 1971 3,642,135 2/1972 Borden 4/10 X 1 pp No 165 6433,673,614 7/1972 Claunch 4/10 Primary ExaminerHenry K. Artis [52]Attorney-Barnes, Kisselle, Raisch & Choate 51 Int. (:1 E03d 1 00; E0363/00, 1303a 5/00 58 Field of Search 4/8, 10, 115, 114, [57] ABSTRACT 4 777 7 5 39 90 131 113 142; Apparatus for handling human waste wherein the21 human waste is delivered to a vessel and heat is a plied to thevessel, preferably simultaneously with the appli- 56] Ref r e Citedcation of vacuum, to vaporize the liquid component of UNITED STATESPATENTS the waste material leaving dehydrated waste which can be readilyremoved.

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1 F. MENTOR CHARLES H. BENNETT ATTOR NEYS DISPOSAL SYSTEM FOR HUMANWASTE This invention relates to waste disposal systems and particularlyto such systems for handling human waste.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION waste disposal system which can be utilizedin a vehi- 1 cle, conveyance, home, factory or the like and functions toremove the liquid portion of the waste which is pure water leavingsolids that can be readily removed, stored and handled; wherein theliquid removed may be returned to the sea, for example, or may beretained in a storage tank used in the toilet system, or otherwisedisposed of in an approved manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partly diagrammatic view of asystem embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partly diagrammatic view of a modified form of system;

FIG. 3 is a partly diagrammatic view of a further modified form ofsystem;

FIG. 4 is a partly diagrammatic view of a further modified form ofsystem.

DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, the waste disposal system embodying theinvention comprises a vessel 10 to which the human waste from the toiletsystem represented by element 11 is directed through a pipe 12 andperiodically controlled by a valve 13. Vessel 10 has an inner lining ofTeflon or the like to prevent dried wastes from adhering thereto; Thevessel 10 is connected by a pipe 14 to a jet vacuum pump 15 throughwhich liquid such as sea water from a boat is pumped by pump 16 toproduce a vacuum within the vessel 10. Heat from a suitable heat sourcesuch as the engine of a boat or an airplane is directed through a line17 to a jacket 18 about the lower section of the vessel 10. The vacuumin the vessel is'controlled by a valve 19. By applying vacuum to thevessel, with the valve 13 closed and the valve 19 open, and heat appliedto the jacket 18, the liquid portion or component of the human waste inthe vessel 10 is vaporized and removed through the line 14 passingthrough a condenser 20 and overboard through a pipe 21. An activatedcarbon filter 22 is positioned in line 14 to filter any minormicroscopic particles that might be carried along by the liquid.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the vessel 10 is provided with a pluralityof blades 23 that function as baffles to reduce surging of liquid.

After the liquid has been removed, vacuum valve 19 is closed and asliding waste gate 24 in the lower end of the vessel is openedpermitting the solid dehydrated waste to be delivered to a disposablebag 25 positioned in an open ended container 26. During the removal ofthe solid dehydrated waste, continued rotation of the blades 23 agitatesand scrapes the solid waste through the opening to the bag 25.

As a result, the major volumetric component of the waste, namely thewater, has been removed leaving the dehydrated solid in the bag 25 thatcan be readily handled.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 2, a macerator 27 is providedin the line 12 which delivers the waste to a sludge tank 28. Waste fromthe sludge tank 28 is delivered by a pump 29 through valve 13 to thevessel 10' periodically as in the previous form of the invention.Similarly, pump 16 delivers water to a jet pump 15' to produce a vacuumwithin the vessel 10. In this form, a condenser 30 is provided withinthe vessel 10' to condense the vaporized liquid so that it can bedelivered to a holding tank 31 through a valve 32 and then fed by a pump33 through an activated carbon filter 34 to a storage tank 35. Theliquid can be removed as desired from the storage tank 35 by a pump 36to flow through a line 37 back to the toilet system 11 as needed.

In this form of the invention the blades 23 function primarily asscraper blades during the removal of the dehydrated solids from thevessel.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 3, similar components aredesignated with similar reference numerals with the added double primemark. In this form, the macerator 27" is positioned in the tank 28" andan output from the sludge tank is controlled by a valve 13" to thevessel 10''. Vacuum is provided in the vessel 10" by vacuum pump 38. Afilter 39 is provided to the exterior to filter any small particles thatmay tend to be carried out through the air drawn by the vacuum pump fromthe vessel 10''.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 4, vessel 10a includes aninner plastic-lined wall 40 and a spaced outer wall 41 which define aheating jacket to which hot water from an engine cooling system or asource of hot water is circulated. A movable hollow gate 42 closes theoutlet 43 in the lower end of vessel 10a. Hot water is first introducedinto gate 42 through inlet 44 and then passes to the heating jacket ofvessel 10a through pipe 45, at the lower end of the vessel 10a. Thewater is removed through outlet 46 adjacent the upper end of vessel 10aand is disposed of overboard or reused.

A central shaft 47 extends vertically in vessel 10a and is adapted to berotated. Shaft 47 supports blades 48 pivoted thereto so that they tendto swing out under centrifugal force as the blade rotates. Each blade ispreferably made of a plurality of sections 48a so that the blade can bereadily deflected to prevent damage or binding. A baffle 49, mounted invessel 10a, surrounds the shaft 47 and defines an opening 50 throughwhich vapor may pass. A second generally frustoconical baffle 51 isfixed to shaft 47 in overlying relation to opening 50 to prevent directaxial movement of particles. A screen 51a of fine mesh metal, such asMonel, covers the space between shaft 47 and baffle 49 to prevent solidparticles from passing out.

Condenser coils 52 are provided in the space about the periphery ofbaffle 49 defined by an upstanding intermediate portion 53 of baffle 49.

As in the previous forms of the invention, the condenser coils 52 areconnected to a water pump 54 which activates a jet pump 55 that draws avacuum on vessel 10a through a filter 55. Water from vessel 10a passesto a storage tank 56 which stores the water for re-use in the toilets.

1 claim 1. In a waste disposal system for human waste, the combinationcomprising a vessel to which the human waste may be supplied,

means for periodically supplying human waste to the vessel, means forapplying heat to the vessel to evaporate the liquid from the wastematerial, vacuum producing means for reducing the pressure within thevessel to below atmospheric while heat is being applied,

and means for removing solid waste from the vessel after the liquid hasbeen removed.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 including means for scraping thewaste from the interior of said vessel.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 including a filter separatingsaid vacuum producing means from said solids whereby any particles inthe vaporized liquid are prevented from passing through the vacuumproducing means.

4. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for removingsaid solid waste from said vessel comprises a gate at the lower end ofthe vessel,

and a disposable container positioned beneath said gate for receivingthe dehydrated solid waste.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 including means for heating saidgate.

6. The combination set forth in claim 2 including means exteriorly ofsaid vessel for holding the waste before it is periodically delivered tosaid vessel.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said last-mentionedmeans includes a macerator in advance thereof.

8. The combination set forth in claim 6 including pump means fordelivering the waste material periodically from said holding means tosaid vessel.

9. The combination set forth in claim 2 including condensing means forassisting in condensing the liquid waste that is vaporized from thewaste within said vessel.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said condensing meansis within said vessel.

11. The combination set forth in claim 10 including baffle means betweensaid condensing means and the interior of said vessel.

12. The combination set forth in claim 2 including means for storing anddelivering the liquid removed from said vessel for re-use in the toiletsystem.

13. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said heating meanscomprises the engine of a vehicle.

14. The combination set forth in claim 2 including pump and filter meansexteriorly of said vessel for assisting in removing the liquid from saidvessel and filtering the liquid removed from said vessel.

15. In a waste disposal system for human waste, the combinationcomprising a vehicle having an engine,

a vessel in said vehicle to which the human waste may be supplied,

means on said vehicle for periodically supplying human waste to thevessel,

vacuum producing means on said vehicle for reducing the pressure withinthe vessel to below atmospheric,

means for applying heat from the vehicle engine to the vessel toevaporate the liquid from the waste material while the interior of thevessel is under reduced pressure,

and means on said vehicle for removing the remaining solid waste fromthe vessel after the liquid has been removed.

16. The combination set forth in claim 14 including means on saidvehicle for scraping the waste from the interior of said vessel.

17. The combination set forth in claim 15 including means within saidvessel separating said vacuum producing means from said solids wherebyany particles in the vaporized liquid are prevented from passing throughthe vacuum producing means.

18. The combination set forth in claim 15 wherein said means forremoving said solid waste from said vessel comprises a gate at the lowerend of the vessel,

and a disposable container positioned beneath said gate for receivingthe dehydrated solid waste.

19. The combination set forth in claim 18 including means for heatingsaid gate.

20. The combination set forth in claim 15 including means exteriorly ofsaid vessel for holding the waste before it is periodically delivered tosaid vessel.

21. The combination set forth in claim 20 wherein said last-mentionedmeans includes a macerator in advance thereof.

22. The combination set forth in claim 15 including pump means fordelivering the waste material periodically from said holding means tosaid vessel.

23. The combination set forth in claim 15 including condensing meanswithin said vessel for assisting in condensing the liquid waste that isvaporized from the waste within said vessel.

24. The combination set forth in claim 23 including baffle means betweensaid condensing means and the interior of said vessel.

25. The combination set forth in claim 15 including means for storingand delivering the liquid removed from said vessel for re-use in thetoilet system.

26. The combination set forth in claim 15 including pump and filtermeans exteriorly of said vessel for assisting in removing the liquidfrom said vessel and filtering the liquid removed from said vessel.

1. In a waste disposal system for human waste, the combinationcomprising a vessel to which the human waste may be supplied, means forperiodically supplying human waste to the vessel, means for aPplyingheat to the vessel to evaporate the liquid from the waste material,vacuum producing means for reducing the pressure within the vessel tobelow atmospheric while heat is being applied, and means for removingsolid waste from the vessel after the liquid has been removed.
 2. Thecombination set forth in claim 1 including means for scraping the wastefrom the interior of said vessel.
 3. The combination set forth in claim2 including a filter separating said vacuum producing means from saidsolids whereby any particles in the vaporized liquid are prevented frompassing through the vacuum producing means.
 4. The combination set forthin claim 2 wherein said means for removing said solid waste from saidvessel comprises a gate at the lower end of the vessel, and a disposablecontainer positioned beneath said gate for receiving the dehydratedsolid waste.
 5. The combination set forth in claim 4 including means forheating said gate.
 6. The combination set forth in claim 2 includingmeans exteriorly of said vessel for holding the waste before it isperiodically delivered to said vessel.
 7. The combination set forth inclaim 6 wherein said last-mentioned means includes a macerator inadvance thereof.
 8. The combination set forth in claim 6 including pumpmeans for delivering the waste material periodically from said holdingmeans to said vessel.
 9. The combination set forth in claim 2 includingcondensing means for assisting in condensing the liquid waste that isvaporized from the waste within said vessel.
 10. The combination setforth in claim 9 wherein said condensing means is within said vessel.11. The combination set forth in claim 10 including baffle means betweensaid condensing means and the interior of said vessel.
 12. Thecombination set forth in claim 2 including means for storing anddelivering the liquid removed from said vessel for re-use in the toiletsystem.
 13. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said heatingmeans comprises the engine of a vehicle.
 14. The combination set forthin claim 2 including pump and filter means exteriorly of said vessel forassisting in removing the liquid from said vessel and filtering theliquid removed from said vessel.
 15. In a waste disposal system forhuman waste, the combination comprising a vehicle having an engine, avessel in said vehicle to which the human waste may be supplied, meanson said vehicle for periodically supplying human waste to the vessel,vacuum producing means on said vehicle for reducing the pressure withinthe vessel to below atmospheric, means for applying heat from thevehicle engine to the vessel to evaporate the liquid from the wastematerial while the interior of the vessel is under reduced pressure, andmeans on said vehicle for removing the remaining solid waste from thevessel after the liquid has been removed.
 16. The combination set forthin claim 14 including means on said vehicle for scraping the waste fromthe interior of said vessel.
 17. The combination set forth in claim 15including means within said vessel separating said vacuum producingmeans from said solids whereby any particles in the vaporized liquid areprevented from passing through the vacuum producing means.
 18. Thecombination set forth in claim 15 wherein said means for removing saidsolid waste from said vessel comprises a gate at the lower end of thevessel, and a disposable container positioned beneath said gate forreceiving the dehydrated solid waste.
 19. The combination set forth inclaim 18 including means for heating said gate.
 20. The combination setforth in claim 15 including means exteriorly of said vessel for holdingthe waste before it is periodically delivered to said vessel.
 21. Thecombination set forth in claim 20 wherein said last-mentioned meansincludes a macerator in advance thereof.
 22. The combination set forthin claim 15 including pump means for delivering the waste materialperiOdically from said holding means to said vessel.
 23. The combinationset forth in claim 15 including condensing means within said vessel forassisting in condensing the liquid waste that is vaporized from thewaste within said vessel.
 24. The combination set forth in claim 23including baffle means between said condensing means and the interior ofsaid vessel.
 25. The combination set forth in claim 15 including meansfor storing and delivering the liquid removed from said vessel forre-use in the toilet system.
 26. The combination set forth in claim 15including pump and filter means exteriorly of said vessel for assistingin removing the liquid from said vessel and filtering the liquid removedfrom said vessel.